they wished. Of this disposition "the Ladies of the Mission," an edifying association founded at Bordeaux in 1817, were often favoured with signal proofs. Those excellent women have an establishment in which a large number of young female orphans are reared and educated in the knowledge appropriate to their state. Charmed with their benevolence, M. de Cheverus frequently preached to them in the chapel which belonged to the episcopal palace, explaining the duties of a Christian woman in the midst of the world, and inculcating right notions upon the subject of genuine piety.

Whilst thus engaged, the Archbishop received a new assistant, dear to him by more than one titlehis nephew, the Abbé George, who, after passing four years in the seminary of St. Sulpice, at Paris, in the study of theological science and the practice of piety, had been elevated to the priesthood. He felt for this young man all the tenderness of a father for his child; but he would not allow the voice of affection and blood to influence him to any concession in his favour, and he caused him to perform the duties and submit to all the obligations of a parish vicar. After a time the metropolitan chapter wishing to enrol among its members a priest who seemed worthy of the honour, begged the Archbishop to name him at least an honorary canon, but to no purpose. He thanked them for their good feeling, but replied that his nephew had not yet laboured enough to merit that distinction, and that he had too good an opinion of him to suppose he desired it himself.

To the pleasure derived by M. de Cheverus from the society of his nephew, was soon afterwards added another which recalled the happy days of his youth.

The Abbé Maccarthy, his former friend and fellow student, who had become the most distinguished pulpit orator of France, visited Bordeaux, to preach during advent. A delightful spectacle was then exhibited in the frank and affectionate friendship which, after so long a period, again united the Archbishop and the Jesuit father. Their intercourse was marked by an ease, a simplicity, a gaiety, and a cordiality, (which, however, never degenerated into familiarity, the high esteem they entertained for each other forbidding it,) that were perfectly charming. They talked over old times at the seminary, consulted one another upon various matters, and with regard to the sermons of the preacher, the Archbishop would tell him without reserve or flattery, all that he thought of their plan and composition.

Meanwhile M. de Cheverus was not lost sight of at court. Charles X. seized every occasion of showing him his confidence and esteem. He had already offered him the post of minister of ecclesiastical affairs, which the Archbishop had refused in the inost peremptory manner, both from his disinclination to greatness, and the indications he beheld of the storm which was soon to burst upon France-a storm that he had no hopes of being able to allay. In November, 1828, he had been appointed a counsellor of state, with authority to take part in the deliberations of the council, and the labours of the committee of which it consists; and in 1830, he was honoured with one of the highest titles which a king of France can confer, by being named a commander of the order of the Holy Ghost. This nomination which he received in common with M. de Quélen, the Archbishop of Paris, was remarkable for being the last made by

Charles X. M. de Peyronnet, then minister of the interior, was charged with the annunciation of his new dignity to M. de Cheverus, and performed the duty with especial delight, as he loved as much as he esteemed him. More than once he had poured into his bosom, with all the unreserve and confidence of friendship, the cares and solicitudes by which he was torn, and had found there the tenderest interest, the wisest advice, the most soothing consolation. Alas! he foresaw not all the afflictions which were soon to be heaped on his head. "The blue ribbon," he said in his letter to M. de Cheverus, "will add nothing to your virtues and your merits; but it will prove that the king knows them, loves them, and takes pleasure in honouring them." The Archbishop received the intelligence with gratitude for the goodness of the king, but with indifference as regarded himself. He was absorbed at the time in his apprehensions of the impending storm, and could find no room for satisfaction in a heart that was filled with sadness. "We have fallen," was his remark, "on such evil days; society is in so critical a state, that one must have lost every sentiment of charity to be occupied with personal concerns; the public misfortunes ought alone to affect us." At the great news of the capture of Algiers by the French army, which soon afterwards reached Bordeaux, he rejoiced like all good Frenchmen and friends of humanity; but his joy was not a feeling of triumph. The victory achieved abroad appeared to him no guarantee of internal peace, and the issue proved that his forebodings were but too cor

rect.

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BOOK IV.

LIFE OF CARDINAL DE CHEVERUS FROM THE REVOLUTION

OF JULY, 1830, TO HIS LAST ILLNESS.

We have now arrived at the last epoch of the life of M. de Cheverus. Like all the rest, it was fruitful in good works, in tribulations, and in testimonials of the esteem and veneration of the world. In the midst of the troubles that agitated France in the year 1830, the first thing by which the Archbishop of Bordeaux signalized his wisdom, was the peace which he succeeded in preserving in his diocese, the perfect tranquillity which he enabled his clergy without exception to enjoy, as in the most prosperous times. The new authorities established at Bordeaux were filled, like their predecessors, with that profound respect which was the universal sentiment towards him, and made it an honour and a duty to consult and to act with him for the public good. He received their advances with pleasure, and sought to turn to the advantage of religion, the consideration and regard which were felt for his person. The most excellent understanding was established, at least from the year 1831, between the authorities and himself, as well as between the various branches of the former. A more intimate union, a more harmonious concert of views and efforts, could not have been desired; and it was the Archbishop who was the soul of the concert, the bond of the union, the centre in which all hearts were

blended. Thence resulted the remarkable circumstance, that whilst the rest of France was in a state of disturbance and trouble, whilst almost every where else the soil was trembling, so to speak, beneath the tread, the diocese of Bordeaux was always peaceful and calm, its clergy honoured and respected, its Archbishop revered and beloved. Every measure, even the most trifling, for the public welfare, was adopted in concert with him. He was made to preside at all the deliberations; and all matters in which a member of the priesthood was in the least concerned, were submitted entirely to his decision, so much was it feared to give him pain by taking any step that might be disagreeable to him.

The same regard that was felt for M. de Cheverus at Bordeaux, was also cherished for him at Paris. His advice continued to be received there with deference, and exert a powerful influence. Reserved as he was, and little inclined to mix in affairs which were not immediately under his charge, he made little use of the credit he possessed; but when he did employ it, it was almost always with success, and for the welfare of religion and the Church. It is well known, that during the first months of the Revolution, it was in contemplation to impose upon pastors, as well as upon public functionaries, an oath of fidelity to the new government. On learning the fact, M. de Cheverus wrote at once to an influential personage, representing to him that the measure was equally impolitic and improper, that it would embarrass the government, would bring the clergy into trouble, would alarm the people, and that a division would ensue like that of the juring and non-juring priests of the first revolution. "I will answer for my